Ice creeper



H. N. SMITH ICE CREEPER Filed Aug. 19, 1942 Marh 9, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

March 9, 1943. H. N. SMITH 2,313,099

' ICE CREEPER Filed Aug. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTO HarveyPatented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE lGranted under the actof March 3,1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) The invention described herein,if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government forgovernmental purposes, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to an improved form of ice creeper adapted to beworn on the soles of boots or shoes to facilitate traction, especiallyon ice, but can be as effectively used on any other surface, where aneffective traction engagement or foothold is necessary.

This device has been particularly designed to provide an ice creeperwhich may be easily attached or detached, as the occasion arises.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a framework forholding spikes or cleats, which is simple, flexible and economicallymanufactured, but at the same time will withstand the hard usage towhich a device of this nature is subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which willconform to and lie flat against the bottom of the boot or shoe in such amanner that the wearing of the creeper will not prove a hindrance to thewearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which isself-adjusting to most any size or style of footwear, instantly andautomatically.

In order to accomplish a satisfactory support for the shoe that willrigidly hold the spikes or cleats firmly in position and yet will removeany undue strain upon the device, the spikes or cleats themselves formthe pivot points, thereby practically removing all pressure strain fromthe framework itself.

It will be apparent that this particular form of construction isparticularly adapted to the adjustment required in fitting such a deviceto a shoe, since it will readily adapt itself to a narrow or wide shoewith little efiort.

It is particularly important to point out the fact that thisconstruction depends for its adjustment entirely upon a pivotal action,there being no slides present to become frozen when used in snow or ice.

In order to attach the ice creeper to the sole, it i preferred toprovide two straps which will conform to the side of the shoe and athird strap to draw the aforementioned straps into close engagement withthe side of the shoe. This construction will permit of conformity to anyshape of sole, and a second set of straps adapted to pass under theinstep, behind the heel, and. over the instep of the shoe will provideproper conformity to any shape of shoe. Obviously,

other flexible means may be used Without departing from the scope of theinvention.

Th spikes or cleats may be of any shape or design which would adaptthemselves to gripping the surfac on which the device is to be used;

the type shown, being used by way of illustration, however, is the mostcommonly known.

The device, being light, is also easily carried in the pocket and may beused with ease whenever the occasion arises. v

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in thefeatures of construction, arrangement of parts and combination ofelements which will hereinafter be fully described, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the means for attaching the device to theshoe.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spike or cleat pivot.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device, and

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals refer to similarparts, [0 represents the framework of the ice creeper, which is composedof two curved members I I having the ends thereof rolled over to holdand retain in place loop or link members I 2, through which are directedelongated straps l3. creeper is applied, are adapted to conform to thesides of the shoe and tighten over the upper of the shoe by strap M,which is fitted with a buckle l5.

The curved members I l are pivotally connected near their medial portionby means of plates l8 and spikes or cleats H, which are provided withintegral reduced shanks l8 projecting upwardly through the plates l6 andcurved members I l, the

upper end of the shank l8 being enlarged by flat I tening, as shown atl9, to pivotally connect members I l to plates l6 and secure the spikesor cleats II in a dependent position. The plates [6 ar pivotallyconnected at their opposite ends by means of an elongated flexible steelspring strip 20 which is reversed upon itself to form an enlargedportion 2| which is adapted to retain a link chain 22. The strip 20 andplates I 6 are likewise pivotally connected, as are the curved members Il' and plates I6, by means of a spike or cleat H. The link chain 22 isadapted to be connected at its end to the apex of triangular loops 23,which in turn are connected at the base thereof to straps 24 and 25respectively. Strap 25 has a buckle 26 The straps 13, when the that itwill not slip or work off but stay in its proper position. The curvedmembers II and plates 16, being made of thin flexible steel, will easilyconform to the shoe sole, and, being made of a light material, will beeasily worn without any hindrance to the wearer.

In addition to the pivot spikes or cleats-1 1, additional spikes andcleats 28 may be positioned on the curved members H at the most'convenient and advantageous position; a

It will be seen, therefore, that the invention contemplates anattachmentwhich'can be conveniently carried in'a persorispocket, havingneed'at various times for non slipping protection upon their bootsandshoes. It 'is als'o obvious that the construction promotes easyapplication, since'it produces a device which is'si m'ple and fitted'forimmediate attachment, removal or -adjustment, at a'mor'nnts notice. Itisto-be understood that the invention isacce'ptable with some changes ormodifications withoutdepa'rting from the'principles and spirit of theinvention and is'not to be limited to the precise arrangement andformation of the'sever'al parts 'herein shown' and described'andbontemplated by the attached claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ice creeper of the class described, comprising a plurality ofcurved spike carrying members, the medial point of said curved membersbeing pivotally connected by means of a plurality of plates, theen'dportions of said plates being pivotally connected by a pivot and aspring plate member, means attached to said curved member for adaptingsaid ice creeper to conform to the sole of the boot or shoe, and a chainconnected to'said spring plate member adapted to be connected to meansfor retaining said ice creeper in a fixed position on said boot or shoesole.

2. An" ice creeper of the class described, comprising aplurality ofcurved spike carrying members and 'a plurality of secondary platespivotally connected thereto, loops attached to said curved members, saidloops having means attached thereto for retaining said ice creeper onthe sole of the boot or shoe and means attached to said secondary platesfor preventing the ice creeper from shifting.-

3. An ice creeper of the class described; comprising a'plurality ofcurved and flat plate members and a curved spring plate member,'themedial point of said curved members being pivotally connected to the endportion of said flat plate members, the opposite end portions of saidflat plate members'being pivotally connected by a pivot to said springplate member, means attached'to said curved membersand said spring platemember for retaining said ice creeperon the sole of the boot or shoe. v

HARVEY N. SMITH.

